Bought a certified 2006 from a dealer with 26,000 miles. It had full service. At 30,000, to get back on schedule, I did my own oil change/service. Now at 31,000 the 'maintenance required' light is showing up when I start the car. I've learned from this site how to re-set the light BUT....does it reset automatically to another 5000 miles (meaning it will come on at 36,000 miles) or is there a way to set it to come on at 35,000 miles so I'm back on schedule? Alternatively, is there a way just to disarm this thing forever (I think I can remember to get it serviced every 5k)? Or does it also come on if/when there is something seriously wrong? Sorry for the multi part question. Many thanks.
Just reset it now, then reset it again when you do the next service (or at 35,000 miles, whatever). I have my work done at the dealer, and every now and then they forget to reset it, and I do it (after looking up how, of course). No way to permanently disable the thing that I'm aware of.
The Maint Reqd light will actually start to flash briefly when you "boot" the car after 4500 miles since the last reset. It should come on solid after 5000 miles since the last reset.
Hhmmm. Maybe I've been missing something. Does the 'maint. req' light come on briefly (not flashing, just a steady light) for a couple of seconds every time I start the car? I hadn't noticed it before (but have seen a lot of other indicator lights briefly on start up), but there's a lot to absorb with your first Prius. Thanks
The maintenance and a lot of other lights do come on at startup just to show they're working properly.